The Laurel City Council will be asked to consider several city improvements during its meeting Tuesday.

City administrators told members of the council during Wednesday’s agenda-setting meeting at Laurel City Hall that the city needs to request the Mississippi Department of Transportation install a traffic light at the intersection of Highway 15 North and Parker Drive.

During the meeting, members of the City Council discussed the request to the state along with several items being proposed for next week’s regular council meeting.

Laurel Fire Chief David Chance said the request for the traffic light at Highway 15 North and Parker Drive is in connection with the city’s plan to relocate Fire Station No. 5 to Parker Drive.

Officials have said that in order to maintain the city’s fire rating, a fire station needs to be located in the north Laurel area. The city has purchased land on Parker Drive in an effort to relocate the facility.

In a separate matter, the council will consider whether to approve a resolution authorizing the finance director to proceed with a refinancing agreement regarding the city’s outstanding Mississippi Development Pool Loans.

City Clerk Mary Ann Hess said the refinancing is an effort to reduce some of the rates on the loans. She said it is expected to save the city approximately $ 100,000 a year.

Also Tuesday, the council will consider the Public Works Department’s request to transfer $16,000 from the Sanitation Department to Solid Waste Disposal. According to documents submitted to the council, the transfer is needed to cover the shortage of funds for rubbish removal in the Solid Waste Disposal Account.

Councilman Manuel Jones questioned whether contractors hired by private citizens and businesses are disposing of their materials properly and not costing the citizens additional expenses.

In another matter, the council will consider authorizing the administration to enter into an agreement with the Mississippi Department of Transportation concerning the overlay of 16th Avenue from Ellisville Boulevard to Lee Street.

Also Tuesday, the council will consider approving the second reading of an ordinance abolishing Ordinance No. 1462-2005 pertaining to certain employee qualifications under the 2003 International Building Code and amending Ordinance No. 1470-2006 to reinstate supervisory duties of the Inspection Department (to be handled by the Superintendent of Inspection).

Also Wednesday, the council was asked to consider several tax exemptions for downtown businesses.

However, after a lengthy discussion, the city’s administration was asked to provide council members with more information concerning the request.

In other business Tuesday, the council will consider approving expenses related to travel by elected officials to the 2009 Mississippi Black Leadership Summit to be held in Jackson on Oct. 7-9, 2009.

Also Tuesday, the City Council will consider setting public hearings concerning the cleanliness of property; whether to approve the Laurel Police Department’s requests for grant applications; and decide whether to approve several orders relating to city projects.